2 persons beheaded in Basilan in clan war

ZAMBOANGA CITY–Suspected Abu Sayyaf bandits beheaded two persons in a remote area of Sumisip, Basilan on Thursday, according to the police on Friday. But a military report said the beheadings were part of a clan war or rido.

Senior Superintendent Nickson Muksan, Basilan police director, said the information on the beheading was provided by a military official.

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The Inquirer tried but failed to get more details from the military as text and calls went unanswered.

Muksan said the supposed victims were beheaded in Sitio Bakahan in Barangay Mahatalang.

“A top military official in Basilan informed us that the male victim is a relative of the Abu Sayyaf,” Muksan said by phone.

In Manila, a report from the Philippine Army on Friday said two headless bodies were found after a clash between warring clans.

Gunshots were heard at Sitio Daingan in Barangay Mahatalang in Isabela City past 6 p.m. on Thursday, the report said.

“Around 6:30 p.m., information received from civilians stated that the beheaded Abdurahim Kituh, and the dead body of Abu Sayyaf member Naim, were also found near the crossing going to Ismael Elementary School,” the report said.

“The motive of the incident was rido,” it added.

Mahatalang was a known lair of the Abu Sayyaf in Sumisip and had been the target of recent military operations.

Late last year, the military also launched an operation there when Abu Sayyaf bandits torched two school buildings on December 20 and 22.

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Muksan said one of the Abu Sayyaf sub-leaders hiding in Mahatalang had been identified as Radzmil Janatul. Julie Alipala / INQUIRER and Frances Mangosing / INQUIRER.net

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